Arthur Kirkland glowered at the smaller boy before him, mind twisting in several different ways to ditch him on one of his coworkers. What had the boy been thinking dropping in on him unannounced. "Peter." He began slowly, "I know you currently hate our parents, but simply running away to me will not help you at all."
"Jerk."
Arthur growled, eyes roaming the workplace, searching desperately for someone he could ask to watch the child while he ran out to go do some work for the stupid idiotic Korean he was under.
Alfred? No, Alfred had to come with him. Francis? No, the perverted man would probably molest the child and take pictures. Antonio? Wait, what was he thinking- the man was pretty much a known pedophile.
I have absolutely no sane coworkers. I don't know anyone I could ask…
The sweep of blue flickered around the corner, and Arthur actually considered the tall, terrifying Swedish man for half a second, before dismissing him. He sighed. It looked like he'd have to take care of Peter after all-
He turned, only to find the spot where Peter had been standing empty.
"P-PETER!"
"What are you screaming for you stupid jerk? I haven't done anything!" Peter snarled from beside him.
Arthur jumped at the unexpected closeness of his erstwhile brother, and he sighed in relief. "Don't scare me like that! Why can't you just stay in one place?"
"I was getting tired, and there was a chair." Sarcasm dripped from the boy's voice, and Arthur glowered.
Both were stopped dead however as a low, gravely voice asked, "Arth'r Kirkl'nd?"
"Y-Yes…"
"Got s'methin' for you to s'gn." A paper was thrust out towards Arthur, and Arthur took it, and began to hurriedly look for a pen to sign it with.
Berwald engaged in a staring contest with the defiant, yet still slightly scared Peter. "Who're you?" Berwald asked softly, trying to soften his voice.
"I'm Peter Kirkland. The stupid jerks brother."
"Stop insulting me Peter, and be nice to Mr. Oxenstierna, he's also an employee at this business."
Berwalds gaze sharpened slightly, as Ludwig's voice drifted through the room. "Mr. Kirkland would you please get someone to watch the child? We'll be late to pick up Jones if we keep this up."
"I'm coming!" Arthur spared a glance towards the Swedish man, before he suddenly grinned. "Hey, can I ask a favor Oxenstierna?"
Berwald glanced at him, his gaze, as always, cold and unwelcoming. "Could you watch over Peter for me for the next few hours? You will? Thanks-"
Without waiting for a reply, Arthur abandoned Peter to Berwald, leaving behind a confused Swedish man. "But- th' rest of t'day is my d'y off…" Berwald mumbled, staring where the retreating Brit had vanished.
"So then take me home with you." Peter snapped back. "If you got a T.V. then I'll stay out of your way."
Berwald glanced downwards at Peter, before looking back up, trying to imagine how Tino would react- it was Tino's day off as well, and Tino had mentioned about having a day to relax would be nice- but still…
Berwalds eyes swept the room, and came to the same conclusion that Arthur had come to earlier- leaving the kid with any of these men would result in said kid becoming permanently traumatized.
"C'me on." Berwald mumbled. "I'll t'ke you home."
-----------
Tino hummed softly to himself as he listened to the T.V. drone softly in the background. It was so nice not to wake up early for once, and instead sleep in for an extra hour before his body refused to rest any longer.
His head lifted from the book that he was reading as the front door swung open, but the cheery greeting died on his lips as he spotted the small boy tagging along after Berwald.
He was adorable. "Oh my, who are you?"
Berwald stared down at him as he crouched in front of the kid, smiling brilliantly. The kid sniffed as he snapped back, "I'm Peter Kirkland! Who are you- I thought that my jerk brother said that this guy lived alone."
"Nice to meet you Peter. As for who I am, I'm Berwald's housemate for a short time due to some troubles."
Berwald twitched at the 'short time'. It had been several months, surely Tino couldn't actually be thinking of moving out already? His eyes swept the living room, but sighed in relief as there was no telltale sign of newspaper or clippings.
He breathed a silent sigh of relief, even as he inwardly vowed to burn anything that even looked like a housing advertisement. "Now then Peter, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here because the jerk wouldn't take me with him."
Tino glanced up at Berwald before his eyes dropped back to Peter. "But how long are you staying here until you're going back to your brother?"
"As long as I want." Peter declared fearlessly. "He won't care anyways."
"Hmm, I doubt that's true, but you're welcome to anything here. There aren't many snacks, but if you're hungry I'm willing to whip up something fast."
"I'm not hungry at all." Peter declared, looking around the room, before merrily skipping over to the television, and settling himself in front of it to begin surfing the different channels. Tino chuckled as he stood up.
Berwald frowned slightly, and mumbled, "Shouldn't be so r'de."
"I don't mind Berwald, that's just how kids are at that age generally." Tino smiled up at him, before turning around to look at Peter. "You just have to know how to get them away from the television."
"Peter, do you like dogs?"
"Yeah! I love dogs!"
"Then would you mind terribly going to the closet and taking my dog out for a walk? I haven't gotten around to it yet."
"You have a dog? What's his name, how big is he? Where is he?"
"His name is Hanatamago, I'm not certain which breed he is, and he's pretty small. As for where he is- he's probably on my bed. You find the leash, I'll go get Hanatamago."
Peter eagerly leapt off the couch, and Berwald watched in amusement as Peter bounced after Tino towards the Finnish man's room, excitedly firing off questions the entire way, and not giving enough time for any question to be answered.
Berwald shook his head slightly as he pulled out the leash. Would his wife's hidden talents come to no end? Not wife. Tino probably wouldn't like it.
Exxcited barking, and a loud laugh echoed down the hallways- closely followed by a loud thump. Berwald stiffened, eyes narrowing at the thump, wondering what had caused it. A second later the thoughts were banished as Peter exited the room, holding the squirming Hanatamago above his head.
Tino was a half-step behind, and his eyes looked at the Swedish man thankfully as he clipped on the leash. "There you go Peter, why don't you stay on our street?"
"Isn't there a park or something around here?"
"Yes, just up the street. I don't think there are many kids there at this time though."
"Aww- but I'm going to go check. See ya!"
Peter was out the door in a whirlwind of blue and white, leaving behind ruffled adults in his wake. Well, one ruffled adult at the very least. Tino seemed calmer with it. "S'nce wh'n did you b'come so good w'th k'ds?"
"Me? Ah, well, I grew up in an orphanage actually." His smile shrank slightly as his eyes grew distant. "It was… interesting shall we say? The man who ran it was usually drunk, so I ended up taking care of most of the kids."
Berwald stood stock still, surprised by the tidbit of information. Somehow… that just didn't fit in with the picture of Tino's life. He somehow expected the boy to have the two caring, loving parents, and grew up in a loving family- not an orphanage.
Tino laughed quietly as he stretched. "I should probably follow after him, make certain he doesn't get lost. Go ahead and relax here Berwald."
"I'll c'me with you."
"No, really, you should rest a bit!" Tino quickly fire back, inching his way past towards the door. "It's just a quick check to make certain he got to the park alright, and ask anyone out on the streets where he is if he isn't there. Nothing to worry about."
"B't-" Berwald began, hand stretching out towards Tino. He stopped as Tino flinched slightly, before withdrawing his hand. He had… forgotten how scary he tended to be, and Tino was timid then most. Who would want a scary giant following behind him scaring everyone off?
"Alr'ght…."
"I'll be back soon."
Tino fled. There was really no other word for it, and Berwald frowned at the empty space where he used to be.
-----
Tino rushed out of the doorway, trying to convince himself that the blush on his cheeks was completely and totally not from a combination of fright and… something else. It was because it was becoming colder, never mind the fact that back in Finland he'd probably be out in shorts and a t-shirt.
It was only thirty degrees above freezing level after all. It didn't even qualify as weather to wear a coat. "Peter?"
The sound of a dogs barking came loud and clear, and Tino stepped lightly towards the sound. There he found Peter and another child facing off, Peter rubbing his arm. "Honestly! What's with you stabbing my arm with a flower?! What kind of weirdo are you?"
"A-Ah? I-I-I'm s-sorry…."
"Peter, I'm certain he didn't stab you on purpose with the flower." Tino's eyes fell on the other boy, and he frowned slightly. The kid flinched back, and Tino put on his most charming smile. The kid shrank back even more. "Peter, you know the way back to the house, right?"
"Yep, your house is the one with absolutely no toys on the front lawn unlike all of the other houses."
"Good, come back inside when you want too, or by five-o'clock so that way Berwald can take you back."
"Do I have to go back to Arthur? He's such a drag. He really, really is."
"Yes Peter, he's your guardian, isn't he? Unless Arthur says you can stay over, you'll have to go back to him. Other then that stay right here in this park."
Tino left the two boy's to their playing, and slowly began walking back to the house. I really ought to stop imposing on Berwald and go back to my old apartment. However… my old apartment sucks! I don't really want to go back. Maybe Berwald won't mind if I stick around for a few more months…
Tino pushed open the door to find Berwald on the couch, book open, but staring out the window. "Something the matter Berwald?"
Berwald blinked once, gaze switching to Tino. It took all of Tino's courage not to go rushing out the door once more. "J'st thinkin'."
"Oh?"
"Mmm… D' you min' carpentry?"
"Mind Carpentry? Why, no I don't. Are you a carpenter Berwald?"
The taller man nodded, and Tino smiled. "Don't mind me, feel free to do whatever carpentry projects you wish. Besides, if we're actually keeping Hanatamago we'll need a dog house for him or something."
"Ah. That c'n be my f'rst project."
-----
Arthur stared down at the dusty, slightly banged up Peter. "What happened to you."
"I made a new friend. And Arthur, from now on I want to live with Berwald and Tino. They are so totally cooler parents then our real mom and dad."
Berwald shifted slightly as Arthur's searing gaze rose up towards him. "How so?"
"They have a dog, and Tino makes some really weird food, but it tastes pretty good- most of it was called Blood something or other, and Tino let me play in the park without sticking around to bug me-"
"What? I stick around for security reasons!"
"I know how to scream for help if needed Arthur. You don't have to always stick around."
"But- But-"
"Tino said I could visit any time, and I know where their house is located, so don't even try to stop me old man."
Berwald watched the interaction with amusement as Arthur spluttered. "I am not old, and as to whether or not you visit is entirely up to Berwald and Tino- wait, who's Tino?"
"Berwald's house mate!"
"Bewald has a wife? Huh- oh well. It's up to Berwald and his wife whether or not you can visit."
Berwald placed a hand gently on Peter's head and spoke softly, "Com' any t'me."
Peter grinned up at him, and Berwald nodded to the flabbergasted Arthur before striding out the door- his 'wife' was waiting for him at home after all.
a/n: ...Peter a.k.a. Sealand appears! The family unit is now complete!